TALLAHASSEE (AP) - Florida's minimum wage increased to $7.21 an hour on New Year's Day, a jump of 42 cents for roughly 400,000 workers. ...more

January 4, 2009

SEBRING – The refrain is the same from restaurant owners – regardless of the size of the eatery – when asked about a pay increase for employees who receive tips: it's part of the cost of doing business. Florida restaurateurs face another increase on Jan. 1, 2008 when the direct wage for "tipped employees" goes up to $3.77 an hour. According to the Agency for Workforce Innovation, the employer must pay tipped employees a direct wage. The direct wage is calculated as equal to the minimum wage ($6.79) minus the 2003 tip credit ($3.02) or a direct hourly wage of $3.77. Florida's minimum wage will increase to $6.79 per hour on Jan. 1, which is up from $6.67 this year. The majority of local businesses are now paying employees above the minimum wage. ...more

December 16, 2007